AUBURN # - Friday night's old-fashioned parking lot carnival kicked off the first of two nights that SS. Peter and Paul School is hosting at Casey Park in Auburn.

With the help of Roberta Sofo, Kathy Hribick came up with the idea of putting together a family fun fair and children's festival as a fundraiser.

“She (Sofo) went to SS. Peter and Paul,” Hribick said. “And their children went and she wants it to be around for when her grandchildren one day want to go. She has been a real advocate of what we are doing at the school and when we were planning this she suggested doing something like a fair, so that is where the idea all started.”

From that initial idea, Hribick and other volunteers were able to put together an entire two-day festival in just six weeks.

“We didn't really have a lot of time,” Hribick said. “But I think everything has come together well and we have put together something really nice. There isn't much like this that is for the whole family, so I think it was a great idea for a fundraiser.”

Along with rides from Sofo Amusement, Hribick was able to get other area businesses and organizations like Creation Station and Imagination Library to get involved and set up activities booths.

“This has been a real community effort,” Hribick said. “I have been amazed by all the support we have received from the whole community as we have been putting all of this together.”

The festival also has numerous volunteers hosting tables with crafts, raffles, baked goods and of course the much needed fair foods like hot dogs, hamburgers and fried dough.

Also on hand were a variety of organizations offering information that fits in with the theme of a children's festival, like the state police with a child safety seat demonstration, the sheriff's department offering child identification, and members of the Auburn Fire Department.

“This is a fundraiser,” Hribick said. “But being something for the whole family we thought it was important to have some free things that everyone could come out and get something out of.”

Along with parent volunteers, Hribick also enlisted the help of many of the school's students.

“I thought it would be good to get them involved,” Hribick said. “It gives them a sense of giving something back and helps them build a sense of community spirit and involvement.”

Helping were students like Hribick's son John, 8, and his friend, Jake Sarnicola, 7.

Sarnicola was playing the part of a young clown, selling balloons, while John pulled him around on a miniature scooter.

“I really like riding around,” John said. “It is a lot of fun to help out.”

And while they were helping out with an important fundraiser for their school, the kids were still eager to enjoy the carnival.

“I like the rides,” Sarnicola said. “I can't wait to get to ride some of them.”

The fundraiser also drew the support of many in the neighboring community.

“I just live a few blocks away,” Dan Tkacz said. “I thought it might be fun to stop and check out and see what was going on and it is nice to be able to do something to help out the kids and the school.”

Money raised from the festival will go toward the school's Expansion For All Project Fund.

Hribick said that the school is not supported by any government money, and that support of the school comes from the church and tuition from students.

The money will go toward numerous renovations planned for the school, including new desks, library improvements, new computers and the renovation of the cafeteria area into a gym/cafeteria.

“There are a lot of improvements we'd like to make,” Hribick said. “It is really nice to see all the support we've received from the community for what we want to do and we just hope a lot of people come out tomorrow and enjoy themselves and help support the school.”

If you go

What: Family fun fair

When: Noon to 8 p.m.

Where: Casey Park, Auburn

Admission: Free; special ride offer from 1 to 4 p.m.